Building an Adirondack Porch Swing

What You'll Need

Saw

Wood screws

Nails

Screwdriver

Jigsaw

What You'll Need

Saw

Wood screws

Nails

Screwdriver

Jigsaw

Building an Adirondack porch swing is worth the investment to create that old-fashioned feel for your front or back porch. This style of furniture was born in the early 1900’s and continues to charm Americans around the nation. You’ll be glad you spent the time to make this porch swing as you pass countless hours relaxing on your craft.

Step 1 – Make the Side Frames

Position one slab of 1 1/2 by 1 3/4-inch wood, 11 inches long, vertically for the front part of the frame. Position another slab of 1 1/2 by 3 3/4-inch wood, 25 1/2 inches long, vertically at a 30-degree angle for the back part of the frame. Nail the two of them together with two slabs of 1 1/2 by 3 3/4-inch wood, 14 3/4 inches long, set parallel to one another on either side of the vertical pieces, flush with their bottom so that all of the pieces make a U-shape when seen from the side. Nail in an 11 3/4-inch long spacer between the parallel pieces with enough space in the front and back to thread the chain. Now, attach the top of the short vertical piece to the middle of the long, reclined vertical piece with two pieces of 1 1/2 by 1 3/4-inch wood, 21 inches long, set parallel to one another. Nail in a 6-inch spacer between them, also leaving spaces for the chain. The left side frame should be completed and look like a lowercase “d.” Repeat this step to complete the right side frame.

Step 2 – Make the Seat

Cut lumber 1 1/2 by 3 3/4 inches to two different lengths. You need two slabs that are 51 inches long and another two that are 14 3/4 inches long. Attach the side frames together at the bottom with the two longer pieces. One will be nailed as the back of the seat frame and another as the front. The two shorter pieces should be nailed inside perpendicularly to support the seat slabs. Now, insert four slabs. Each should be 3/4 by 3 3/4 inches, but the lengths will vary from 46 to 48 inches to accommodate the side frames.

Step 3 – Make the Backing

Attach the longest vertical side frame pieces by nailing in seatback support from wood 1 1/2 by 3 3/4 inches, 55 inches long. Screw in 16 back slabs. They will each be 3/4 by 3 3/4-inch pieces of wood, 33 1/2 inches long. At this point, you can use a jigsaw to cut the tops into two mountaintops like the classic Adirondack style.

Step 4 – Attach the Armrest and Thread the Chain

Use 3/4 by 5 3/4-inch pieces of wood, 23 inches long, for the armrests. Make two holes in each armrest that align with the holes you left with the spacers in the side frames. Insert the chain through the armrest and side frame holes such that it comes out like a “U.” Do the same for the other armrest. Now, hang the porch swing and let your family enjoy it!